WUC promises Greater Gabs overflow by June
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday February 13, 2024 06:00
During a site visit with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi and the National Planning Commission (NPC) Commissioner Batho Molomo on Friday, WUC CEO Gaselemogwe Senai stated that the revamped plant will be a hub of excellence for water distribution in Greater Gaborone. He mentioned that the National Water Masterplan of 2006 outlined schedules to ensure water availability for 30 years starting from 2006, providing specific deadlines for the development of major capital projects.
These projects included the Mmamashia expansion and NSCII completion. However, several factors, such as procurement challenges, budget constraints, and project reprioritisation, have caused delays, impacting overall progress. He highlighted that Greater Gaborone is currently short by 15%, but after the plant's completion, 15% more water than needed will be distributed. Project Manager Moanamise Tawana provided details on the project, titled "Design, Supply, Installation, Construction, and Commissioning of Mmamashia Water Treatment Works," awarded to Khato Civils/South Zambezi/CMS/NTR Joint Venture for P1,150,556,766.26. While the original completion date was April 2024, Tawana mentioned they are 82% complete and expecting to finish ahead of the June commissioning.
The project aims to augment the water supply to Gaborone, increasing water treatment capacity by 110 Mega Litres (ML)/day. "The plant is designed to receive and treat 110ML/day of raw water from Dikgatlhong, Letsibogo and associated well fields through the NSC system,” he said. He underlined that Greater Gaborone, including Molepolole, Kanye, Mochudi, and Rolong, has been grappling with water shortages. He emphasised that this initiative aims to boost the water supply and ensure a consistent provision of clean water to these regions. Tawana outlined the following giving a progress update: Access road 100%; staff housing 100%; Laboratory 98%; Inlet tower 98%; MPR 98%; Constant Level Tank 98%; Mixer 4 98%; Clarifiers 95%; Blending Chamber 90%; GAC Filters 80%; and Sand Filters 80%.
He attributed some delays to various challenges. "These included delays in procuring long lead items, a shortage of Gravel Soil supplies, a shortage of steel supplies, a worldwide semiconductor shortage, a shortage of Fly ash supply, inclement weather, and delayed wayleave approvals for the A1/Mmamashia access road intersection," he explained. Despite these challenges, he assured that solutions have been found and the project remains on track and within budget. During the visit, Baipoledi expressed delight at the project's progress, calling the plant an engineering masterpiece. He encouraged local universities like BIUST and UB to have students visit the site. Molomo expressed gratitude for the fruitful use of state resources in the project.